WOD 7-26-10

In March of 1621, as recorded in Governor Bradford’s Of Plymouth Plantation, Squanto joined the Pilgrims:

“About the 16th of March (1621), a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken English…. His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself…

About four or five days after, came… the aforesaid Squanto… (He) continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He showed them how to plant corn, where to take fish and other commodities, and guided them to unknown places, and never left them until he died.

He was a native of these parts, and had been one of the few survivors of the plague hereabouts. He was carried away with others by one Hunt, a captain of a ship, who intended to sell them for slaves in Spain; but he got away for England, and was received by a merchant in London, and employed in Newfoundland and other parts, and lastly brought into these parts by a Captain Dermer.”